Archive for the ‘Prayer’ Category

Satan’s Strategy: Deception

Friday, January 20th, 2017

deception

Satan’s main strategies are deception, accusation, temptation, and control. Today we will be dealing with the first one: deception.

This is the second installment of our 7-video series on “Unmasking the Enemy.” Christians must be aware of Satan’s strategies “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB

Satan’s Strategy: Deception

  • Satan is a deceiver. He is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44) Revelation 20:3 also says about Satan: “that he should not deceive the nations any longer.” He distorts truth so masterfully that we are easily manipulated. Everything Satan says appears to be true and has evidence, in a sinister and twisted way. Logic is a tool of Satan. He can logically maneuver you into rationalizing any sin as being harmless or good. Satan will even twist Scripture to rationalize your sin.
  • Satan depends on secrecy and darkness. He can be exposed by shining light. We are attacked in our minds at night more than any other time, especially as we fall asleep. Take every thought captive, and be aware that this window of time is the main attack time.
  • Satan makes evil to look good and good to look evil. (This is how he tempts us.)
  • Satan is a counterfeiter. He will lure you with counterfeit happiness. Don’t take the bait. Satan is the source of our affliction.
  • Satan causes us to surrender to him because he will pander to our lusts and desires. If we surrender to him, we give him permission to exercise dominion over us in that area.

This is crucial for you to understand! Here is the progression of Satan’s deception:

  1. Things that are technically true are said by the enemy.
  2. Those technical truths are backed up by actual evidence, making his claims facts.
  3. The conclusions derived in this way are false because the actual facts are manipulated in such a way that the truth is hidden and the lie is believed.

Stay tuned for the next installment: “Satan’s Strategy: Accusation.” If you don’t want to miss this series, follow my Prayer page and subscribe to my monthly newsletter below.

Authority Over the Enemy

Friday, January 13th, 2017

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Today is the first installment of our new series on “Unmasking the Enemy,” where we will be discussing authority over the enemy, which is the demonic realm ruled by Satan. I will be showing you Scriptures which prove that Christians have power over demons, and that we should not fear them. When Jesus was on this earth, He commanded His followers to cast out demons in His name. (Matthew 10:8) What God commands you to do, He enables you to do, because “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NASB)

If we have the power to cast them out, we should not be ruled by them either. I see so many Christians ensnared by the devil, and they refuse to see it. They are trapped in the grip of sin and its consequences, and the strongholds in their lives are enabled by their flesh which has fallen because they allowed the devil a foothold. When this happens, demons can oppress Christians and rule over them in specific areas of sin.

Authority Over the Enemy

If you belong to Christ, Satan no longer has power over you; you have power over him! Satan’s power over you has been taken away. Christ paid the penalty for our sin so that we cross from the domain of darkness into light (I Peter 2:9) You must understand your position of authority in Christ:

  • “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15 NIV
  • “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 ESV
  • “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57 ESV
  • “…that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14b NASB
  • “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!” Luke 10:17 ESV

It’s crucial for you to understand your authority in Christ over the enemy so that you can gain victory. This is the first in a series of 7 practical videos. Make sure you don’t miss the next installment in this series, “Satan’s Strategy: Deception.” You can keep up with my posts by following my Prayer page and subscribing to my monthly newsletter below.

Unmasking the Enemy Series

Friday, January 6th, 2017

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This month I’m starting a new video series called “Unmasking the Enemy,” where I will be exposing the devices of Satan against believers and showing you how to overcome each device. We need to unmask the lies of the enemy so that we do not fall into his traps. Instead, our birthright as sons and daughters of God is to triumph over the enemy with compete victory. Educate yourself to overcome the enemy, or you will be ensnared by him.

You also want to be aware of how the enemy works to help other Christians, that “they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26 ESV

In war, you are supposed to study the enemy so that you can have victory over him. You find out his tactics and strategies so that you do not stumble into his traps. If you insist on NOT studying the tactics of your opponent, you will easily fall into his snares because demons have been around for thousands of years and they are much smarter than you are. So many Christians insist on staying ignorant, and they do not realize that desiring to stay ignorant is itself a scheme of the enemy!

We are commanded to be vigilant: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Over the next seven weeks, I will be doing a series where I will unmask the tactics of the enemy so that we can overcome him.

Unmasking the Enemy Series

  1. Authority Over the Enemy
  2. Satan’s Strategy #1: Deception
  3. Satan’s Strategy #2: Accusation
  4. Satan’s Strategy #3: Temptation
  5. Satan’s Strategy #4: Control
  6. How to Resist the Enemy’s Attacks
  7. Take Up the Full Armor of God

Christians must be aware of Satan’s strategies “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB

Stay tuned for the first installment: “Authority Over the Enemy.” If you don’t want to miss this series, follow my Prayer page and subscribe to my monthly newsletter below.

101 Reasons to Pray

Monday, June 20th, 2016

101-Reasons-to-Pray

If you are wondering why you should bother to pray, here are some good reasons to pray:

  1. To have a relationship with God.
  2. To experience God’s peace.
  3. To be transformed into the image of Christ.
  4. Because God commands us to pray.
  5. To be involved in God’s work in people’s lives.
  6. To show people we love them enough to pray for them.
  7. To receive guidance from the Holy Spirit.
  8. To get wisdom in a difficult situation.
  9. To see how God answers prayer.
  10. To learn perseverance and endurance.
  11. To get rid of anxiety and worry.
  12. To turn God-ward.
  13. To give us a proper perspective.
  14. To know the love of God.
  15. To connect to the God of the universe.
  16. To learn thankfulness.
  17. Life is hard. Without Jesus beside us, it would be unbearable.
  18. To feel the presence of God during trials.
  19. To stand in the gap for a loved one.
  20. To ask for the salvation of someone.
  21. To ask that God would transform a difficult person.
  22. If we have a need, that God would provide it.
  23. To receive comfort during sadness.
  24. To align your heart to God’s heart and feel what He feels.
  25. To receive forgiveness for sins.
  26. For God to help us to control our words.
  27. To adore the Creator.
  28. When someone is in the hospital, that God would bring healing.
  29. After a car accident or other trauma–for the ability to get through the situation.
  30. For the reconciliation of a broken marriage.
  31. For an estranged child to come back to Christ.
  32. For our bills to be paid.
  33. For safety during travel.
  34. For God to use our spiritual gifts for the edification of the church.
  35. For God to unify His people.
  36. To accomplish God’s work.
  37. To perform our daily tasks well.
  38. To raise our children with hearts for God.
  39. To talk with God, to commune with Him.
  40. To receive insight into God’s Word.
  41. For God to give us the right thing to say to someone.
  42. To remove fear and give us confidence.
  43. To receive encouragement from God.
  44. To delight in the Lord.
  45. To be strengthened inwardly.
  46. To grow in faith and trust.
  47. To glorify the Lord.
  48. To receive answers to specific prayers and praise God.
  49. For the church to have revival.
  50. To listen to God.
  51. To find God’s purpose and calling for your life.
  52. To push back the powers of darkness and shine light to others.
  53. To gain clarity in a confusing situation.
  54. To be able to commit ourselves to God when falsely accused.
  55. To make Jesus Lord of our lives and allow Him to rule us.
  56. To abide in Christ like a branch in a vine.
  57. To set people free from bondage.
  58. To learn to trust God and to see His faithfulness.
  59. To be sanctified so that we can be useful vessels to the Master.
  60. To grow in our faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
  61. To receive more rewards when we finally are with Christ in heaven.
  62. To gain assurance of salvation.
  63. For protection in a dangerous situation.
  64. To remove excuses for sin.
  65. To be guided by God and His Word.
  66. To be convicted over sin and retain a clear conscience.
  67. To bring delight to God.
  68. To repair a friendship.
  69. To receive wisdom for parenting.
  70. To know how to prioritize a busy day.
  71. To grow in holiness.
  72. To enable us to rejoice in all things.
  73. To know that all things will work out for our good.
  74. To gain boldness in evangelism.
  75. To acquire gentleness in rebuking someone.
  76. To learn to live in dependence upon God and not our own resources.
  77. To be set free from our own strongholds or sinful patterns of thought.
  78. To gain generosity to help the poor.
  79. To give true encouragement to the fainthearted.
  80. To help someone feel that they are not alone.
  81. To grow in intimacy with a spouse.
  82. To get excited about Christ’s return.
  83. To get rid of false guilt and condemnation.
  84. To have hope in a hopeless situation.
  85. To take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
  86. To gain a greater awe for God.
  87. To not grow weary in doing good.
  88. To discover the hidden things of God.
  89. To ignite a deeper love and commitment to God.
  90. To ask God how to lead His children closer to Himself.
  91. To align your will to God’s will.
  92. To thank God for our daily food and His provision of it.
  93. To overcome temptation.
  94. To appreciate what God has given.
  95. To ask God to enable you to get out of debt.
  96. To not be blind to an area of sin.
  97. To break harmful addictions.
  98. To set our hearts on things above and not on earthly things.
  99. To learn contentment.
  100. To be a rock for other people in the midst of a storm.
  101. To enjoy the presence of God.

I hope you can see that prayer is vital and that there are so many reasons to pray. Can you think of other reasons we should pray?

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